Congress MP in Rajya Sabha V Hanumantha Rao, a prominent OBC leader from Andhra Pradesh, said there is a sizable backward class in the country and it should be given reservation in promotion as is proposed to be done for the SCs and STs.
"We should also get justice. A delegation of OBC leaders will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi to plead our case," Rao said outside Parliament House.
He has convened a meeting of OBC leaders tomorrow to discuss the issue. Rao plans to raise this issue more prominently in the coming days.
Samajwadi Party Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, also an OBC leader, had demanded in the all-party meeting chaired by the Prime Minister on August 21 that backward classes should also be given reservation in promotions.
Meanwhile, BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu said there are differences within the ruling alliance on the issue and Congress should sort them out before talking about reservations in promotions.
D Raja (CPI) said his party welcomes the Cabinet decision on the issue and it is a good step. "Government had given a commitment to bring a Bill on reservation in promotions and most parties are in agreement with the proposal," he said.
Asked about SP's opposition to the proposal, Raja said they can oppose if they want to. He said SP's stand will not come in the way of their agitation on the coal allocation issue in which SP, Left parties and TDP have joined hands.
"If SP wants concessions for OBC they can do so but they should not mix it with quota for SCs and STs," Raja said.
